Abstract: Systems and methods for synthesizing ultra long carbon nanotubes comprising one or more metal underlayer platforms that allow the nanotube to grow freely suspended from the substrate. A modified gas-flow injector is used to reduce the gas flow turbulence during nanotube growth. Nanotube electrodes are formed by growing arrays of aligned nanotubes between two metal underlayer platforms.

Abstract: Battery pack may include rechargeable battery cells Battery charger may include power source circuit. Power source circuit may be connected with an external power source and battery cells. The external power source may supply power to the power source circuit and then, the power source circuit may supply charging current to battery cells. Battery charger may also include voltage detector for detecting the voltage input from the external power source to power source circuit. Battery charger may further include processor for controlling power source circuit. Processor may determine the amount of charging current supplied to battery cells based upon the external power source voltage detected by the voltage detector.

Abstract: A progressive-scan charge-coupled device (PSCCD) camera (2) may capture an entire frame of an image of an optically readable code. The camera generates a histogram or probability distribution function (PDF) of the images and uses the histogram or PDF to automatically adjust the contrast of the image. The camera also generates a cumulative distribution function (CDF) which is used to automatically adjust the illumination intensity including the brightness of the image and the duration over which the image is obtained. The captured analog video image is converted to a digital video image which may be output over the camera's bidirectional bus interface (14) to a component outside of the camera. Updated programs, parameters and other information may be sent in the opposite direction over the bus interface to the camera. The camera may be mounted at a fixed station or may be incorporated into a portable unit, and may be hand-held and/or battery operated.